For the Tall Groom: Loving the Long Jacket

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Wearing our perfect smiles for the wedding

While some grooms think that looking spectacular on the wedding day is the bride’s job, you shouldn’t be left out of the wedding fashion loop. Let’s face it: you know your bride is going to look absolutely stunning on this important day, and it’s up to you to show each person attending the wedding exactly why your lovely bride considers you the finest catch in the sea of bachelors.

Your wardrobe choice may be limited, but you should never underestimate the difficulty of finding the perfect wedding tuxedo. You have a choice; you can look awkward in your tux, or you can show up as your bride’s ultimate fantasy, as an impeccably dressed Cary Grant or George Clooney. With the right tux you can go from being an average Joe to becoming the suave and debonair real-life James Bond.

To look dapper and handsome in your tux, you have to find a tuxedo that complements your bride’s wedding attire, plays up your best assets and keeps you feeling comfortable on one of the most important days of your life.

To find the perfect tuxedo, you have to consider one of the crucial parts of your entire attire: your tuxedo jacket.

The Long Jacket

This is my wedding day long jacket

You will find long and short tuxedo jackets on the market. The most common tuxedo jacket on the market is the single-breasted one-button jacket.

If you’re on the tall side, meaning you stand over 6 feet in height, you’d look your best wearing a wonderful long jacket or a stroller jacket. Long refers to the length as well as to the number of buttons. A long jacket is a formal wear coat or a tuxedo jacket that ends at your mid-thigh with more four buttons as your jacket’s closure.

Long jackets make you appear shorter than you actually are, making it easier to understand why most basketball players prefer these long jackets over short coats. Long tuxedo jackets are usually made of satin, and have either a single breasted or a double breasted design.

Choosing Your Long Jacket

Since we’re talking jacket length, you have to know that long jackets have different lapel designs. Although lapel styles generally don’t matter to grooms, having the right lapel for your long jacket is a great way to bring attention to your upper body. It may not be the most important jacket decision you’ll make, but the lapel design can and will affect your suit’s overall appearance.

Notch Lapel: The notch lapel has a V-shaped cut where the fabric points inwards right at the area where the lapel and the collar meets the jacket. The notch lapel is a great lapel choice if you’re trying to emphasize or enhance shoulder width.

Shawl Collar: The shawl collar has a rounded jacket lapel. If you want a jacket design that reveals your jacket’s satin lining, go for a double-shawl collar.

Peak Lapel: The peak lapel is the most common lapel style available. It has a "V-shaped" cut that follows the opening of the jacket.

My blue wedding long jacket

An elegant white long jacket

After picking your lapel style, decide on how many buttons you’ll wear. If you’re below six feet in height, then go for four buttons. If you’re over six feet tall, then five-buttoned long jackets are the way to go.

Remember, you’re never supposed to button all the buttons on your long jacket. The rule is to always keep the last button, or the bottom button, unbuttoned.

Accessorizing Your Long Jacket

Loving my style

Finding the right accessories can enhance the design of your long jacket. Wear a boutonnière that complements your bride’s attire or follows your wedding color theme. You can also carry a carefully pressed handkerchief in your jacket’s pocket to add a dash of color and style to your wardrobe.

Wear your long jacket with a white shirt, a vest, a tie and a cummerbund.

When Do You Wear It?

Long jackets or stroller jackets are widely accepted for very formal and formal day weddings. Ultra-formal day weddings usually take place between the hours of 11:00am and 4:00pm. For your morning suit, pick out a long jacket complete with wide tails in dark gray or some other lighter color.